The Halo: Reach Legendary Edition is here, in photos

The Legendary Edition of Halo: Reach is here, and we'll show you exactly what …

It's not hard to imagine that Microsoft took a look at the August NPD numbers and said to themselves, "if it's this good now, wait until Halo!" The Halo: Reach Legendary Edition has arrived at the office and we're going to drown in consumerism by taking you through what exactly comes in the package.

This package retails for a stunning $150, so let's take a look and see if you get your money's worth.

It's hard to get a sense for how large the package is from the pictures. For scale, I included a miniature human. When the package first arrived I thought it was a system, not the game. The box is heavy cardboard, and is sealed on both sides with tape.

This is the state of the statue when you first open it.

The package is supposed to be a sort of file on the Noble Squad, and it includes a letter from your "Cousin" explaining that it's a 600 series ONI security container. But not to worry—he has "de-iced it." The sculpture is a 1:53 scale replica of the Ream War Memorial, according to the letter. We're supposed to turn everything over to the proper authorities.

One of the guns you need to attach to the statue. Pretty decent detail work.

The statue, up close and personal.

Another close-up of the statue

The statue in all its glory. Very detailed, very heavy, and my wife wonders where people put these things. So do I.

The game itself slides out of its own container via a tiny handle.

The game with the bonus armor vouchers.

MOAR SEKRITS. The warnings on the included journal pointing out the top secret nature of the contents. The other side is sealed with a sticker sporting the ONI logo. Again, the detail is wonderful.

The journal is filled with images and details from the world of Halo. I'll leave it for you to explore.

More odds and ends, including patches, DNA cards, and other bits of silliness from the world of Halo.

So is this worth it?

You're paying $90 over the retail price, and all the little odds and ends are fun to explore—this feels like a collection of relics from the game itself. It's very cool, but I honestly would have been just as happy with just the game. Unless you have some way to display this stuff, it's going to just take up space. The content here won't have the legs of the soundtrack and behind-the-scenes DVD of the StarCraft 2 Collector's Edition. You can also get everything shown here sans statue in the $80 Limited Edition.

Still, if you're crazy about Halo, you're going to fall in love with this package.

68 Reader Comments

I guess if you like the gameplay, this is a really fun product. But for me, as a PC game player, it's another product that could be so-much-more if only they would release it for PC...or any other platform other than the xbox... (sigh)

I never do understand why people buy these things, but the extras seem to be of good value to someone who is a fan of Halo. Since this is the last Halo by Bungie, the various odds and ends seem justified.

I guess if you like the gameplay, this is a really fun product. But for me, as a PC game player, it's another product that could be so-much-more if only they would release it for PC...or any other platform other than the xbox... (sigh)

Okay, see what Evil Merlin is doing? That's called trolling. Don't feed him, he'll only get louder. Let's keep the discussion on topic, not bickering about which way to have fun playing games is better.

I guess if you like the gameplay, this is a really fun product. But for me, as a PC game player, it's another product that could be so-much-more if only they would release it for PC...or any other platform other than the xbox... (sigh)

Get over it. PC gaming is on a slow slide to oblivion.

So what fanboy. Any console you own now will be obsolete before PC games stop comming.

I'm torn. I want to buy this sort of package just to encourage game companies to do it more often. Looks like seriously good grist for a fan of the game. But the price! That's a bridge too far for me. Maybe I'll pick up the Limited.

Very cool... I don't feel too bad about spending the extra $70 for just the statue. It is much larger than I thought it would be and very detailed. Hell of a lot better than the lame ass batman arkham asylum plastic batterang.

Anyone who complained about the Starcraft 2 Collector's edition needs to see this CE's price and content. And it(Halo:Reach) only comes with one game, not two (SC: SC2 and SC1+BW expansion)That said, there is some neat stuff in there for folks who really love Halo.

I don;t think it is idiotic to desire this pack, and it is worth the price to some. It makes the packaging into a piece of art itself. And I think thats a beautiful thing, and should be encouraged. Recently, packaging for games is usually reduced to a disc in DVD case with a thin manual. In days of yore you would get maps, coloured, thick manuals, and other tidbits.. I miss that. The packaging is the first step into the game world.

Personally, I would not buy it- I do not have the space. However, I love special editions that are in standard height/depth DVD cases.. that is, they are wider, so I can still store them along my other games.

Actually, figurines run anywhere from $25 to $150 depending on scale and detail. This contains several figurines, so I'd say that is where the majority of the price comes from. Remember that there is a difference between toys and figurines. Generally a toy will look worse but be more rugged as it is meant to be played with. It usually gives up realism for posable joints. A figurine is all about looks. Usually they aren't posable, but they must have great detail, and are often hand painted (those are the more expensive ones).

The fact that these are detailed means that package is probably a good deal for a fan. However, I understand that it wouldn't be that good a deal to you. That is your perogative, and I wouldn't dream of impinging on it.

That would be me! I can't wait to pick mine up. What is the appeal? Well the "bits of paper" allow me to immerse myself in a SciFi universe I like just a little bit more. It is really cool to touch some things from the Haloverse, it makes it more real in a way. I'm going to devour Halsey's journal. It will be really fun to meet her in the game. I mean she HAS to be in it. As far as the statue, for me these things are like an "always on" connection to an IP I like. At work I am lucky enough to be able to have a large toy collection on display and it really helps me to get through the day by glancing at the thing and recalling some epic moment from the game or even picking it up and giving it a good look while trying to clear the mental palette to come at a problem from another angle. The toys also make great conversation starters. It is fun to answer questions about games I like. I also want to support the devs I like whenever I can. Yes, stupid business has mucked these things up with exclusive content and the like, but the physical items are just fanservice obviously. Thanks for the advance look Ben!

I guess if you like the gameplay, this is a really fun product. But for me, as a PC game player, it's another product that could be so-much-more if only they would release it for PC...or any other platform other than the xbox... (sigh)

Get over it. PC gaming is on a slow slide to oblivion.

It'll come out on PC eventually, what else is 343 Industries going to do? Halo: CE on PC was awesome!

I'm a huge Halo fan. As I've gotten older I still have the "whoa that's sick!" reaction to the incredible detail and craftsmanship special edition swag often (well, at least sometimes) gets, but I've come to the conclusion that my money is just better spent elsewhere. I tip my hat to the statue though, it looks great! I'll be snagging the Limited Edition on Tuesday.

Also, let's all take a minute to roll our eyes at remembering the Halo 3 'Legendary' edition (still available at your local Best Buy!). At least Bungie improved the offering this time.... I'd much rather pay up for the cool statue than half the extra for a stupid helmet for cats-with-square-heads...

Not to poop on anyone's parade, but that statue looks a lot more like a set of action figures and a display stand than a replica of a war memorial. Does the literature explain why they built a war memorial in full color and fully pose-able?

Bungie's video in which they showcased the Legendary edition explained, if I recall correctly, that the statue is hand painted and in limited quantity. Of course it was molded but the detail work for hand-painting definitely adds to the price tag and value. You wouldn't be interested in showcase models like this if you weren't interested in the subject, to begin with, but it's hardly overpriced, and definitely worth it if you're a worthwhile fan of the series. Personally, I'm just getting the Limited Edition.

I hate you a little bit Ben, but only because I'm jealous. I'm glad I beat you in "Shotty Snipers" in the Halo 3 beta ages ago... I can pretend that makes up for you getting sweet swag like this before the game ships... but it really doesn't.

only an idiot could find a way to justify all that as being worth $150.

save your money, buy the standard edition and if you want some real halo swag simply go online and buy a couple of Halo T-shirts.

I honestly don't see why people go out of their way to bash collector's editions like this. The pricing is totally normal. It's no different then people who buy extra bits and pieces for their cars. Or play Magic the Gathering, those baseball sized cards are probably cents to make, yet some can go for multiple hundreds on eBay.

Don't judge.

Or rather, don't be a fucking dick </wilwheaton's law>

Kudos to those of you who just said "Cool, but not for me", totally proving that you're not a fan, but don't need to harp on those that are. Internet cookies for you.